Hi all,

Firstly, my apologies for how long its taken me to update. When I posted the last chapter I had fully intended on only taking a couple weeks before posting the next and well... Its now over a month since I last checked in.

However, I'm sure you all will understand as I can finally share the real reason for my delays with you all.

Hubby and I are expecting our first child.

So yeah... While I was blaming the heat for feeling so off, morning sickness was doing me a real number too. Its finally improved over the past week which has been a great relief. As of tomorrow, I'll be fifteen weeks along, due early September. From six weeks till about thirteen, oh the morning sickness and fatigue. At least now I have first hand experience for when I end up writing a pregnant character lol.

Given everything going on in my life, I just haven't had the mental energy to even consider writing but with things starting to settle down again, I've figured out a plan for me to be able to commence writing once more. The pregnancy is really taking a toll on me but in saying that, at least while my body is forcing me to rest, I'm hoping that I'll be able to at least finish off this story and start on the next before bubs arrives.

Anyway, with that surprise news outta the way, lets get back to where the left the Barkleys last time, and my apologies for Chapter 26 disappearing, I'm not sure what the matter was with that.

Chapter 27

Victoria was in the parlor, absentmindedly working away at dusting the room that was already sparkling clean in an effort to keep herself busy and her mind off the worrying topic of Millie's disappearance. It had only been two days since her three sons had headed off to Gold Springs to answer the telegram that had been sent and she truly hoped and prayed that their efforts would be fruitful. So far though, no word had been sent as to how the search went and so, with nothing else she could do, she had been left to worry and pray about the situation.

The house was quiet with her three sons out, herself, Audra and Eugene who had arrived home from college the day earlier the only three there while they were gone. Audra had slowly gotten back on her feet after her assault at the Spring Dance and while she was on her feet, she wasn't yet completely back to normal. She was worried about Millie, taking it upon herself to care for Miracle and now Tomahawk too given Nick's absence. If anything, having Millie gone like she had seemed to have affected her more than the assault and it was a testament to just how close they'd all come to their little house guest in the time she'd lived with them.

As she was dusting down another vase, a loud knocking sounded at the door. Not expecting anyone, she frowned as she placed the feather-duster down and left her work to go investigate who had come to visit. Arriving in the foyer she found that their servant had already answered the caller, closing the door behind himself as she joined him. "Who was it, Silas?"

"Telegram, Mrs. Barkley." Silas replied, an envelope in his hands as he turned back to her. "Rider said it was important."

"Thank you Silas." She said as the envelope was handed over to her and after opening it and beginning to read the message enclosed from her eldest, her heart sank a little.

"Good news I hope?"

"Yes and no." She told him with a heavy sigh, again reading the telegram.

Millie found. Stop. Condition Critical. Stop. Bringing her home. Stop. Afternoon train from Senora. Stop. Arriving today. Stop. Meet at station. Stop. Arriving at eight. Stop. Bring wagon with mattress. Stop. Bring Doctor Merar. Stop. Jarrod. Stop.

"Jarrod says they've found Millie and that they're on their way home." She explained as she folded the telegram and returned it to the envelope. "They're on the train from Senora and he wants us to meet him at the station. He's requested we bring a mattress in a wagon and that we make sure Doctor Merar is with us."

"Oh, I do hope Mizz Millie is alright. Poor dear."

Victoria smiled a little at Silas's concern for her. "I'll go arrange for the wagon and take care of things. Would you please prepare her room? And bring out our medical supplies, we may need them."

"Of course. Right away."

Silas started up the stairs as Eugene came down, having heard the rider leaving. "News from Jarrod?"

She nodded. "They've found her." She handed her youngest the telegram to read. "Would you come along? We may need your help."

"Sure, I'll do what I can." He read the message over then looked up at her. "It sounds serious."

"I know. " Her voice shook a little. "That's what I'm afraid of."

~~~~~

The atmosphere was sober inside the Barkley private carriage, Jarrod having returned to sit with Matilda after he'd spoken with Jeanie for a time. If they were to ensure that justice could no longer evade Cade Alton, her testimony would be vital in ensuring that they reached a positive outcome. He needed her help and she agreed to do what she could to help the case without hesitation. After all, the Barkley's and Matilda had helped her; it was the least she could do.

Gently stroking Matilda's hair, time slowly dragged on by as the train continued on to Stockton. Nick had fallen asleep in the chair he'd taken up and Heath was out on the sofa, also trying to get some rest now there was nothing more they could do. Jeanie waited close by, ready to lend a hand with anything he needed but all he needed was for Matilda to pull through.

"J-jarrod…"

"I'm here honey, I'm here." He assured her as she stirred again. "It's alright."

"H-how much... longer?"

"Can't be much longer now." Jarrod smoothed her hair back then took the dried cloth from her forehead and wet it once more. "Night fell sometime ago. We're almost there." He gently wiped her feverish face and neck down before placing the cloth back across her forehead. "Just hang on Matilda, just hold on."

Tears began to slip down her eyes as the searing burning sensation in her stomach intensified again. "I-I'm trying." She scrunched her face up, waiting for it to pass and bit hard into her lip so she wouldn't cry out. She couldn't allow herself to appear weak. Not in front of Jarrod.

"What's wrong?" He questioned with concern.

"Hurts…"

Jarrod wished there was something he could do to take away her pain. "I know sweetheart. You're being so brave. We'll be there soon."

She managed a little nod and after a little while, it eased off again. "I… T-thank you." She started softly, looking up at him. "For… being here. For looking… after me."

A sad smile touched his lips as he gently brushed away the couple of tears sliding down her cheeks. "You rest now. Go back to sleep."

Her eyes closed again. Everything would be alright. Jarrod was here. She was safe. She was going to be okay.

Watching her return to sleep, Jarrod tenderly picked up her hand once more. His eyes welled with tears as he looked upon her bruised face. It broke his heart to see her like this. We're almost there sweetheart, just hang on.

More time slipped by and when Nick woke from his nap he went over to sit down with Matilda. Jarrod switched places with him, pouring himself another whiskey as he sat across from them in the corner and sipped his drink while deep in thought. Thanks to the whiskey, it dulled the ache in his own side until it was barely worth thinking about. He reminded himself he'd have to get it seen to later, once Matilda had been taken care of. No one needed him to end up in a bad way. Swirling around the last of his drink, he looked back up around the carriage. Heath was sleeping on the sofa in the other compartment, so he was absent from room and he wondered for a moment how his younger brother was coping. Nick was still sitting by Matilda, one hand holding hers while the other smoothed her hair back from her forehead and though Jarrod saw his lips moving, he couldn't hear what he was saying. It appeared to be working however, for she settled down once more till she was still again. Nearby, watching Nick also, was Jeanie, the young woman quietly observing everything around her in the chair she'd taken residence in. After the story she had told him, Jarrod was even more glad that he'd gone back for her. Like Matilda, Jeanie hadn't had it easy either with a past that was one just as tragic as hers. The thought of what they would do with a second house guest didn't cross his mind, right now he was focusing on the most important things at hand. The rest he would deal with later.

After what felt like forever, the train began to slow one final time as it pulled into Stockton. With a hiss and the whistle blowing, the train finally came to a halt at the platform of the station.

As the train stopped, Matilda's eyes flickered open again as she woke from the bumping of the carriages into each other before stopping entirely. "We… we made it?" She questioned with a faint touch of hope.

"We made it." Nick informed her with a smile, still smoothing back her hair. "You're almost home, lil one. Almost home."

She managed the tiniest hint of a smile back. "It's gonna… be good to be home."

With the train stopped, Jarrod rose and went into the other side of the carriage, stopping to wake Heath on his way past. "Heath, wake up." He told him, placing his hand on his shoulder. "We're back in Stockton." His younger brother stirred, sitting up as he continued to the front door, only to be met by Victoria who was about to enter. "Mother."

"Jarrod." She greeted, giving her eldest a hug as she stepped in with Audra and Eugene following close behind her. "How is she? Is Millie alright?" She questioned, letting him go again.

"It's Matilda-" He corrected and seeing the questioning look on their faces, sighed and shook his head. "its not important right now, I'll fill you in later. Where's Doctor Merar?"

"We've been looking all over for him-" Audra began to explain. "but we haven't been able to find him."

"I've sent some of the hands out to search for him." Victoria added. "I'm sure as they'll be able to locate him soon."

That wasn't the news that Jarrod wanted to hear. "Lets just hope they do, I'd really hoped he'd have been here to meet us."

"Jarrod, I could take a look at her." Eugene offered, the doctor's bag he'd been given for Christmas the year earlier by the family in his hand. "I know I'm not Doc Merar but I can at least check her over."

"I don't see we have much choice. She's in here."

Nick's attention was diverted from Matilda to the rest of the family entering behind Jarrod as he returned. "Where's the doc?" He questioned, realizing that Thomas wasn't with them. "She needs a doctor, didn't you read Jarrod's telegram?" He said, looking at their mother.

"I read it, Nick. He's been out of town all day. I've got every spare ranch hand out trying to track him down." Victoria replied, her eyes falling on Matilda. Oh dear god. Her thought accompanied by a sharp intake of air. No wonder Jarrod's telegram had an undertone of urgency and she prayed that the doctor was on his way. "I'm sure he'll be found soon."

As she moved around from behind her mother and saw Matilda, Audra covered her mouth with her gloved hand to stifle a gasp as tears came to her eyes.

"Come lil sis." Heath came up behind her, placing his hands gently on her shoulders. "Let's leave them to tend to her."

Unable to speak she simply nodded, allowing him to take her back into the other side of the carriage.

"Nick, if you'd move aside, I'll check her over." Eugene stated, placing his bag down on the nearby table.

Nick looked up at Jarrod, his older brother nodding his agreement. "I'll ah… Give you some space then." He turned back to Matilda, her eyes opening again as he got up. "You be good for Doc Barkley."

"Gene…" She greeted weakly as he came into her view. "When… what are you… doin' home?"

"Heard someone might be in need of a good doctor." He said with a kind smile, sitting down beside her. "Aren't you lucky I came home? Now let's see what you've gotten yourself into…"

Motioning for his mother to come with him, Jarrod quickly asked if Jeanie could assist Eugene with Matilda to which she agreed and they left to join Nick, Heath and Audra in the other compartment.

"Jarrod…" Victoria started, her face etched with concern while Nick poured himself a drink from a nearby decanter. "What happened?"

"What did he do to her?" Audra questioned, Heath rubbing her back as they sat together on the sofa. "She looks awful…"

"I'll explain everything in a moment, promise." He assured her. "Where's the wagon been left?"

"It's out the front of the station." Victoria replied.

Nick placed down the glass he'd just emptied onto the nearby table. "Heath, let's see what we can do to bring it closer."

"Coming." Heath patted Audra's shoulder as he stood. "She'll be alright, sis."

"I hope so."

Nick and Heath both left and after they'd gone, Jarrod motioned for his mother to take a seat while he sat down beside Audra. "We found Matilda yesterday afternoon at Alton's ranch a few miles from Alder. A week ago, she tried to run away. He followed her and shot her in the leg."

"But her back…" Audra started softly, having seen the wounds since Matilda's dress had been left unbuttoned and the girl left laying on her side. "He… He whipped her, didn't he?"

He nodded. "I'm afraid so Audra."

"But why? Why would someone do something like that?"

"I don't know."

"And she's been beaten too by the looks of it." Victoria added.

Jarrod nodded again.

Audra sadly shook her head. "And Alton? What's going to happen to him?"

"He's being detained." He decided it was best to not go into further details. "And I'll be pressing charges against him for what he's done to Matilda and you, Audra."

"Me?" She questioned, not understanding where she fit in with all this. "What for?"

"Alton was the one who assaulted you."

Audra gasped, Victoria appearing to be just as surprised as her daughter.

Jarrod patted her knee. "He's going away, believe me. Between what's happened to you, Matilda and Jeanie, he's going away for a long time."

"G-good." She stuttered, her heart having skipped a beat as everything came flooding back to her.

Silence fell for a moment, broken again by Victoria. "What else happened Jarrod? Who is Jeanie?"

"She was a saloon girl, Alton murdered her father and took her to work for him. She was the one who sent the telegram, we have her to thank for being able to find Matilda."

"Is that Millie's real name?" Audra questioned, slowly getting over the shock of what Jarrod had revealed earlier.

"Yes. Her real name is Matilda Tyson." Jarrod affirmed. "But that's not all. Her mother was Leah Thompson," It only took a moment for the penny to drop for Victoria, his mother recognizing the name instantly. "yes, she's Heath's half sister."

Victoria was about to reply when the door opened and Nick and Heath entered. "We've brought the wagon 'round." Nick said, closing the door behind themselves. "Still no sign of Doc Merar."

"Thank you Nick." He looked up at their younger brother as Heath joined them, sitting down in the chair beside Victoria. "Now that Heath's here, he's the one who should explain."

"Explain what Jarrod?" He questioned with a frown.

"Is it true that Matilda is related to you?" Victoria questioned. "That you both shared the same mother?"

Heath nodded without hesitation. "She's my half sister." He paused for a moment, withdrawing the locket from his pocket and opened it. "My mother married a few years after I was born. James Tyson, he was my step-father." He passed her the locket, an expression of surprise written on her face as Victoria looked at the photographs inside. "I was nine when she was born. Her father died when she was three when the mine he worked at collapsed. I left home when she was five to join the army, that's the last time I saw her. I was told she had died a few months later."

"How awful." Audra exclaimed sadly. "And you had no idea she's been alive the whole time?"

He nodded as their mother handed him back the locket. "I didn't know until yesterday. Jeanie gave the locket to Jarrod and when I looked inside, I found the pictures. While Jarrod and Nick went to find her, I went to Strawberry. Spoke to Aunt Hannah then I found a note from my Uncle Matt" He left out how he'd come into possession of the note, deciding that digging up what was supposed to be a grave was something the women didn't need to know. "They lied. They tricked my mother into thinking she had died when they'd in fact, given her away."

"To Cade Alton?" Victoria questioned.

"No, to his sister, Ruth and her husband. The folks who raised her."

"If only Matilda had shown us what was inside her locket." Audra lamented. "We could have known before now."

Silence fell again, the family ruminating over what Audra had said. Time slipped by until finally, Eugene came through the curtains separating the two areas and as he did so, they rose from their seats.

"Well?" Nick asked bluntly. "How is she?"

"I've given her some morphine for the pain, it'll help keep her comfortable until Doctor Merar is able to give her a proper examination." He replied, looking at his family gathered around. "I think now it would be best to take her to his office, we can wait for him there. It would save her the wagon ride home."

"I doubt she's gonna agree to that." Heath spoke up quietly. "She's been lookin' forward to getting home."

Eugene sighed. "It's only my suggestion."

"I'll talk to her." Jarrod offered. "How long will it take for the morphine to work?"

"Shouldn't take long."

"Alright then. We'll let her decide." Going back in, noticing Jeanie cleaning up something, he sat down beside Matilda on the bed. "How's Doc Barkley treating you?"

"Stickin' me… with needles." She murmured. "Mean."

Jarrod chuckled softly despite the severity of the situation. "He's given you something to help with the pain." He paused for a moment. "Gene thinks we should take you to Doc Merar's office so you don't have to ride long in the wagon. We can still take you back to the ranch though if you'd prefer. What do you want to do, Matilda?"

"If I'm... gonna die… I want to... die at home."

"You aren't gonna die-"

"You don't... don't know that... Jarrod." She interrupted with a weak, raspy whisper. "I want... to be home… With family."

"Alright." Jarrod felt his eyes welling with tears as he took her hand in his, cradling it for a moment before he pressed a gentle kiss to the back of it. "Home it is then."

~~~~~~

It was after ten when the Barkleys finally arrived back home, Nick having had to drive the wagon slow and easy given it was nighttime and the condition of the road. The team was brought to a halt outside the front of the house and after Jarrod dismounted, passing Jingo's reins over to Heath, Eugene helped hand Matilda down to him. Matilda stirred a little in his arms as he carried her up the stairs, Victoria hurrying on to open the door for them.

Hearing the commotion, Silas, who had been waiting for their return, met them in the foyer. "Oh Mizz Millie…" He exclaimed, seeing her in Jarrod's arms. "I-I've got the room all ready for her, Mizzes Barkley."

"Thank you Silas. Would you please prepare some coffee? I have a feeling it's going to be a long night." Victoria replied as they continued on their way upstairs with the girl. "Audra, would you please help him? I'm sure your brothers would appreciate something to eat also."

Nodding, Audra followed after Silas towards the kitchen.

Victoria opened the door to the room that had been Matilda's since she'd come to live with them and after turning back the covers on the bed, Jarrod gently laid her down on the clean sheets. "There you go my dear…" He told her gently as he settled her down on her side to not hurt her torn back, her eyes opening slowly after a moment. "We're home."

"Home…" She repeated in a mere whisper, a slight smile on her lips as her eyes closed again.

Eugene stood beside their mother, watching their interaction. "I'd hoped Doctor Merar would be here." He said softly after a moment, loud enough only for Victoira to hear.

"I can't understand what would be keeping him. I've got half the ranch out looking for him." She paused as Jarrod sat down on the bed beside Matilda. "Gene, how bad is she?"

"I don't know. I'd need to give her a proper examination but…" His voice trailed off. "She needs a real doctor."

"Gene, you are a real doctor and right now, you're the only doctor we have." She spoke gently but firmly, looking up at her youngest son. "There's no telling how long we may have to wait for Doctor Merar to arrive." Glancing over at Matilda, Jarrod gently stroking her brown hair as he spoke to her, she watched them for a moment before turning back to Eugene. "Does she have that long? Can we afford to wait for him?"

After a moment, Eugene shook his head. "While I didn't get much of an examination completed, from what she was saying and the assessment I was able to do, my concern is she's bleeding internally. I'd know for certain once I've examined her but if she does… She's going to need surgery and I-I don't think I can do that."

"I have faith you will be able to cross that bridge if you come to it." She assured him as she placed her hand on his shoulder. "What can I do to help?"

~~~~

The incessant ticking of the old grandfather clock signaled the slow passing of time as the Barkley brothers, Audra and Jeanie waited gathered together downstairs in the living room while Eugene examined Matilda with Victoria's assistance. It was quiet, apart from the steady 'tick-tock' from the clock in the corner; a pin dropped could have been heard. There was nothing for them to do now but wait.

Attempting to help the time pass more quickly, Heath had initiated a game of checkers with Audra to help keep her mind off Matilda but neither of them were particularly paying much attention to their moves. While they played, Jarrod sat in the corner of the sofa, one arm resting on the back of the sofa while the other held a glass of scotch he had been nursing for the last half-hour. Across from him sat Jeanie, the former saloon girl just as worried for Matilda as the rest of them. Nick, having been unable to stay seated any longer, had risen and resumed his anxious pacing back and forth across the room.

The more time that slipped by, the more worried Nick grew. "Oh, what is takin' so dang long?" He burst out as he stopped his pacing for a moment to look over at the clock. "Surely they musta finished by now."

"Apparently, they're not." Ever the voice of reason, Heath calmly pointed the fact out as he moved one of his pieces forward on the board. "Your turn Audra."

Nick stormed over to him. "How can you sit there so calmly? We're talking about your sister's life here!"

"And just what would you have me do, Nick? Join you in wearin' a hole clear through the floorboards? No thank you." Audra took her turn and he halfheartedly pondered his next move. "There's nothing more I can do for her. Right now, she's in the best hands she could be in. They'll come let us know how she is when they are finished."

"Heath's right Nick." Jarrod agreed as he rose, going over to the table where the decanters of alcohol and glasses were. "There's no sense in borrowing trouble."

"Haven't you had enough of that yet?" Nick questioned, watching as his older brother poured yet another drink.

"This isn't for me, it's for you." He replied as he walked over to him and placed the glass in his hand. "Sit." He motioned to the sofa. "Your endless pacing is making me dizzy."

With a halfhearted growl, Nick sat down again and was joined momentarily by his older brother. "Jarrod… So help me, I swear… Alton better get locked away where I can't get my hands on him."

"I know Nick. I know." Reaching over to the coffee table in front of them, Jarrod poured himself some coffee from the pot Silas had brought in earlier and though he didn't feel much like eating, picked up a sandwich also. "He's going away, I fully intended to make sure of that."

Silence fell again as Heath and Audra continued their game, Heath proving victorious in the end. Having been beaten twice now already, Audra decided they would go for one more round then swap to chess. Midnight came and went with the clock chiming twelve, Saturday now here.

Finally, footsteps could be heard coming down the staircase.

They all stood, the group collectively holding their breath as Eugene came in to speak to them. "Well?" Nick was the first to blurt out. "How is she? Spit it out boy."

Looking at his worried siblings and Jeanie, the young woman keeping back in all this, Eugene let out a long sigh. "I'm afraid my earlier suspicions were right." He started, Victoria coming to join him. His mother placed her hand on his shoulder and he mentally steeled himself to deliver the news he had come to share. "In addition to her wounds being severely infected, it would appear that Matilda is bleeding internally."

Audra let out a little gasp, Heath placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"So what happens now?" Jarrod wondered out loud. "What can you do?"

"If there's to be any chance of saving her, I'm going to have to operate."